Runnymede

Runnymede's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in religion, housing tenure and ethnicity.

The population reached nearly 81,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Runnymede increased by 3.2%, from just over 78,000 to 80,500.

The addition of just under 2,500 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Runnymede was home to, on average, 7.4 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Runnymede

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Runnymede increased by two years, from 37 to 39 years.

This affluent suburban area had a slightly lower average age than the South East and had a similar age to the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 1,500 people between the ages of 40 and 49 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 2,000.

About 15% of people in Runnymede are aged between 40 and 49 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Runnymede by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households in Runnymede, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 9.1% to 9.2% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The percentage that had only one person remained close to 30%, while the percentage of households in Runnymede which comprised a married couple (with or without children) decreased from 37% to 36%.

The proportion of households with an unmarried couple increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of the South East (from 8.7% in 2001 to 9.9% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 8.3% to 9.9%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across the South East

Percentage of households that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Runnymede

The number of people in Runnymede that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 11,000 in 2001 to just over 19,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 14% to 24% of the local population.

The percentage increased by less than the average across the South East (from 17% to 28%), but at a similar rate to the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Runnymede that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 58,000 in 2001 to about 51,000 in 2011 (from 75% to 63%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just under 6,200 to just over 5,800 (from 7.9% to 7.2%).

Just under 1,600 people (1.0%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 770 in 2001 (1.9%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Runnymede increased by 9.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Runnymede by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Runnymede

The percentage of Runnymede residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 91% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.7%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.2% in 2001. The percentage of Runnymede residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 91% in 2001 to 90% in 2011). Across England, the percentage remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Runnymede that rented privately increased from 9.9% to 15% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just over one in eight (13%) households lived in social housing, compared with 12% in 2001. The percentage of Runnymede households that owned their home decreased from 75% to 69%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Runnymede increased by 5.3 percentage points

Percentage of households in Runnymede, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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